Aytahn began his musical training on the guitar at age 4. Since age eleven, he has received over a dozen major awards at regional, national and International guitar competitions including many 1st prizes at the UT Dallas Festival, Texas A&M Youth Competition, Classical Minds festival (Houston), Indiana University, Boston Guitarfest, Domain Forget (Quebec), Florida Guitar Festival, The Guitar Foundation of America’s high-school solo and ensemble competitions and the 2020 Stroud Competition. In 2017 Aytahn was invited to perform at the Holocaust Museum in Atlanta for the international radio show “From the Top.” After hearing Aytahn play, the late Italian composer, Maestro Angelo Gilardino, composed and dedicated a solo guitar work to Aytahn, Joyful Island. All this, before graduating from high-school! Aytahn's artistic achievements continues as he has been invited to participate in the prestigious Iserlohn festival and Competition this July in Germany.
Mr. Benavi's playing is noted for its clarity, expressivity and the highest artistic presentation.
Here are some comments about Aytahn's playing:
"...a gift from heaven." Angelo Gilardino
“The highlight of the show was Benavi’s thrilling execution of three virtuosic pieces by Bach, Aguado and Asencio…the audience members knew they were witnessing something special.” The Fayette County Record
